Clamp type electrical terminal



Aug. 2, 1949. G. NOVELLO 7 CLAMP TYPE ELECTRICAL TERMINAL Filed Nov. 21, i945 INVENTOR. Gen/1am /V0 ve// 0 ATTORNEY atented Aug. 2, 1949 STATES e (Granted under the act of March a, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 o. o. 757) This invention relates in general to an electric terminal and in particular to a plug and clamp type electric terminal.

It is frequently desirable to have a plug-type electric terminal which is capable of making contact in comparatively inaccessible places and which can be releasably clamped in position. The common clamp type of electric terminal has the drawback that it often is incapable of reaching within narrow openings, and on the other hand, terminals adapted to reach within narrow openings generally have the disadvantage that they cannot be securely positioned to make firm electric contact.

Accordingly it is an object oi this invention to provide an electric terminal adapted to make a firm electric contact with electric connections located within small openings.

Further objects and advantages of this invention, as well as its construction, arrangement and operation, will be apparent from the following description and claims in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation, partly broken away, illustrating an electric terminal embodying the present invention,

Figure 2 is an elevation viewed upwardly in Figure 1, with parts occupying different relative positions of operation,

Figure 3 is a detailed perspective, and

Figure 4, is an elevation of the detail in Figure 3, partly in section.

The electrical terminal of the disclosed embodiment, generally designated II], comprises an insulating tube or handle I I, having an alligatortype clamp l2 mounted at one of its ends, and having a point of pin I3 adapted to be alternatively projected out of the clamp or withdrawn into the clamp.

The handle ll is constructed of any suitable dielectric material and is hollow to permit passage of an electric wire [4 or similar member.

Near the end proximate to the alligator clamp it! there is a slot I5 in the wall of the handle II, the slot I5 being extended lengthwise of the tube I I and including a hooked end 25 as shown forming a bayonet slot. The pin I3 is disposed lengthwise in the tube II, and is bent to project through slot I5, Where it terminates in an enlarged head I6 positioned exteriorly of tube II for manual operation to actuate the head l6 along the slot and outwardly towards the clamp E2 or to retract the head I6 and lock it in the hooked end 25 of slot H3. The pin l3 extends from the end of head I 6 towards and into the alligator clamp l2 and is adapted to be projected through the nose of the clamp through a hole I! therein when the head It is actuated lengthwise of slot iii in th direction away from the hook See Figures 1 and 3. The pin Iiiis just long enough so that its point is retained within clamp l2 when the head I6 of the pin is retracted in slot 45 and locked in the hook 25. See Figures 2 and 4. In its projected position, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the point or tip of the pin I3 is adapted to be inserted into a narrow opening to make electric contact therewithin.

Opening I'i in the nose of the clamp i2 is somewhat smaller in diameter than the body of pin I3, and accordingly, when the pin I3 is projected to its position shown in Figure 3, the clamp serves to secure the pin in its extended position. The spring [8, Figure 4, is positioned inside the clamp I2, and resiliently presses the pin Is in electrical contacting engagement with the metal of the clamp. The spring I8 thus operates to hold the pin I3 in position of adjustment lengthwise of the slot I5, and the clamp I2 is free for making separate electrical contact by being clamped to an exposed body that is near the body to which the pin I3 is electrically connected. Thus, for example, the clamp I2 may make firm electric contact with an external surface of an opposing electric connection while the pin I3 projects to make electric contact with an internal portion of the same opposing electric connection.

An electrical lead I4, in the form of a suitable wire for example, is electrically connected to the clamp l2 at its end in any suitable manner, and extends away from the clamp through the tube I l and out of the opposite end thereof. Th free end of the lead I4 is preferably provided with any suitable terminal, such as the jack plug 20. By this means there is provided a probing electric contact so which is adapted and constructed to make firm contact with inaccessible electric connections and to carry this electric contact to a conventional type electric terminal. The new electric contact is easily connected and disconnected and because of the adjustable nature of its point is adapted to safe use and operation.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. An electric terminal comprising a tubular insulating body having a clamp mounted on one end thereof, the clamp comprising jaws, a slot in the body near the end on which the clamp'is mounted, a pin-like member slidably passing through said slot and terminating in an enlarged head against the external surfaces surrounding said slot, said pin-like member being positioned to slide to project the point of said pin to extend from between the jaws of said clamp to pro- J'ect from the end thereof, and to be withdrawn within said clamp, and an electric lead connected to said clamp and said pin-like member.

2. A device of the character described consisting of a two-jawed spring clamping means, a prod or pick, and means slidably mounting the prod or pick on one of the jaws of the clamping rrieansso that the prod or pick is adapted to be manually extended well beyond the end of the jaws on which it is mounted, or retracted to be housed within said jaws, and means for mechanically and electrically connecting one of said jawswith a conductor. I

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the jaws, under pressure of the spring, engage a prod or pick; means slidably mounting the prod or pick on the hollow jaw; and means facilitating manual movement of the prod or pick from a retracted position wherein it is enclosed wholly within the hollow jaw to an extended position wherein it projects outwardly beyond the extremity of and substantially aligned with the hollow jaw.

GENNARO NOVELLO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNi T ED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 396,819 Hubbell Jan. 29, 1889 1,221,524 Frankel Apr. 3, 1917 1,869,181 Beck July 26, 1932 2,276,736 Olson- Mar. 17, 1942 

